Germane Systems has spent the past decade perfecting the science of taking the latest in COTS technology to the battlespace. Germane’s performance and reliability are second to none, whether deployment is by air, land, or sea. Germane’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) is ever vigilant in the discovery of new technology to maintain the United States’ military superiority throughout the world. Currently, Germane can design, rapidly prototype, test, manufacture, integrate, and service virtually any technology – in any platform – anywhere in the world.
The foundation of Germane’s decade of superiority stems from its state-of-the-art ETC. Engaged by a comprehensive staff of Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Engineers; the ETC incorporates proven design principles to produce IT solutions designed to survive the rigors of battlefield deployment, and built with the highest standards of quality and performance. Germane’s design process takes a unique two-pronged approach to conceiving a rugged solution: Top-Down - program level assessment of fulfilling operational requirements of the project, Bottom-Up - system level appraisal of every component for optimal performance, reliability, and life-cycle management.
Design Process
Preliminary Design Assessment – Germane assembles its team to evaluate every aspect of the program specifications, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, environmental, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and life-cycle management parameters. Program Management outlines a comprehensive project plan as adheres to all critical milestone events.
Design Reviews – A key advantage Germane has over other “rugged” computer companies is its ability to swiftly develop a working prototype in sturdy ABS plastic. As design elements are being finalized; form, fit, function, and software testing can be performed in conjunction with chassis development.
Test Laboratory
Thermal – Technology is becoming denser causing less room in every chassis for airflow. As operating temperatures steadily increase, standard COTS components have to work outside of their design envelope which will choke performance and impact reliability. Every Germane system is tailored to meet exact performance specifications, whether the system is deployed in the icy depths of the North Atlantic or on the scorching desert of the Middle-East. With advanced computer modeling software and a thermal chamber, Germane ensures that each system will operate at peak performance.
Airflow – In an environment where rack space is severely confined, airflow becomes a valued commodity. Germane manufactures entire racks of systems where a strict airflow budget has been imposed. In the technology arena, it is difficult enough to cool today’s processors and memory with unlimited airflow. However, when each solution is given a portion of air to cool with, it takes Germane’s expertise to keep everything running. Housed within ETC is the Airflow Bench which measures and validates airflow consumption of every Germane system.
Acoustic – Sometimes the difference between success and failure is stealth. The term “running silent” means silent – and not the loud whir of cooling fans trying to force enough air to keep the system running. Germane’s Acoustic Chamber, in the ETC, can perform a myriad of tests to comply with program noise specifications.
Shock & Vibration – When the term “rugged” is used to describe an IT solution, it connotes the world of shock-n-vibe. Deploying in battlefield conditions wreaks havoc with fragile electronic components. Germane’s design engineers tune every system to be protected from the jolt of an airdrop to the constant vibration onboard a ship, as validated on-site, in the ETC, on the shock machine and vibration table.
HALT – (Highly Accelerated Life Test) is a short-duration test conducted on a prototype system. The test subjects a unit to a relentless battery of thermal, shock, and vibration tests, to underscore design flaws that might impact the survivability over a program’s life-cycle. Germane’s systems are mounted within mission-critical platforms where failure cannot happen; so the design is constantly evaluated and improved until it exceeds program expectations. The goal of a HALT test is not to see if the system will fail, but when it will fail.
End-Of-Life (EOL) – Life Cycle Management
Germane Systems takes a proactive approach to the ever evolving cycle of COTS components. Every customer is provided with advanced notifications of EOL items as well as a preliminary replacement strategy to facilitate testing, long before components are no longer available. Germane works intently with its suppliers to get accurate roadmaps and formulate design criteria for each system to ensure the longest shelf life possible. In the event a particular component must be used, Germane can maintain life-purchase stock to facilitate the progression of the program.
